I was recently given a really cool opportunity to write an article for Youth Specialties. For those of you who don't know, Youth Specialties is one of the largest youth ministry organizations in the US and a major publisher of youth ministry resources. The topic I was given to write about was "contextual youth ministry." The final product was an article I entitled Contextual Youth Ministry in a Diverse World. Give it a read, and let me know what you think!
*Shout out to Terry Linhart over at y.m.e.r.g.e. for helping me with the writing/editing/publishing process, and for helping shape my thinking for this article!
7 comments:
Awesome article. I really think it can pertain to all ministry, not just youth ministry (at least when you look at the big picture). I really enjoyed reading and sent it on to others!
Way to represent the Bend. (I'm a native!) Give Terry a high five for me. :)
Youth Ministry is done in a million different ways. An important part is being able to adapt to your culture. I would totally agree.
Enjoy your years as an IYMN. I totally see the value in the experience.
For me, I have continued to hear God say "stay put" when I've been anxious, frustrated, or curious as to what else the world has to offer. Once again, for ME I think God is saying that the longer I stay somewhere the more I can grow and the more lasting effect the ministry that I'm a part of can have.
I know far too many youth pastors who are on their 3rd or 4th church in the last five years (sometimes their fault, sometimes not). Sometimes we classify these as unhappy & impatient YM hoppers.
For the record, I would not classify you as that:) I totally respect how you've followed your calling. What I'm referring to is the Non-International YM "church hopper" Nomad of which is still a problem in our culture and needs to be addressed!
Thanks, Adam. And thanks to Jen Howver for orchestrating and editing the whole thing!
You're the man!
T$
Thanks for all the love, everyone!
Phil, I see tons of value in being committed to one ministry for the long haul. That's why I respect the heck out of guys like Terry and Derry at NMC who have invested so many years in one place building a dynamic youth ministry. And, I really respect churches like NMC who have the ability to keep a team of leaders together for decades. I think that's a huge reason why that church as a whole has been so successful. Which leads me to the YM hoppers.
I agree that a huge problem in YM today is that youth leaders don't stay in one place long enough to build a dynamic ministry. For some of these guys, I think they maybe lack some leadership or administration skills that often get them run out of the church. But, I've also witnessed a lot of churches that don't value youth ministry and chew up and spit out youth pastors every year or two. In those cases, I think it's unhealthy churches that cause the problem, as opposed to uncommitted youth pastors.
Anyway, I think you are right on, and I thought I'd just throw a few of my thoughts in there, too. Keep doing what you're doing, bro!
I agree Adam. I did put that it was sometimes "not their fault." Since "youth ministry" pastors are relatively new I think Sr. Pastors aren't used to communicating and leading them as well as they should be (thus loss of leadership and expectations lead to a whole lot of frustration). As time passes I HOPE and PRAY that Sr. Pastors will understand YM better (especially with some having been youth pastors). I think we're on the same page:)
FYI, your article is now the "featured article" on YS's homepage.
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